Foreclosure filings surge in Manatee

That is nearly 50 percent more than the 182 filed in April, according to court records.

Earlier this month, RealtyTrac Inc. reported that foreclosures across the region spiked to their highest levels of the year during May.

The increase last month lifted the region's foreclosure rate to among the worst 10 area in the country, with one in every 360 housing units in greater Sarasota in some stage of default. Florida's overall foreclosure rate similarly topped the nation in May.

Lenders filed 1,525 total foreclosures in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties last month, a 60 percent jump from April and a 16 percent rise versus the same time a year ago.

The jump in early stage foreclosures in Manatee -- so called "lis pendens" -- further bolsters the notion that this is going to be a busy summer for foreclosures.

Leading the pack among large lenders was Wells Fargo, which filed 52 early stage foreclosures.